[center][color=f9ad81][b]Rangers of the Texan Frontier[/b][/color][/center]

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Territory and Geography: 

Western Frontier of Texas

History: 

The Rangers of Fort Bliss have long been a small but important part of the Conederation of Free Texas States, in a way even before it's foundation. When the brass, that is to say the higher ups, of what was then the American Military fled to the safety and security of Vault 99 the rank and file were left to fend for themselves. Some remained in Fort Bliss while others headed South into Mexico in hopes of avoiding the multitude of atomic fire no doubt sent to purge the United States. In the years that followed those lucky enough to survive made their way back to Fort Bliss and formed a small but capable society.

Possessing a plethora of weaponry in those early days they made a choice that would prove crucial to their survival, they would resist the urge to expand and conquer. They would fortify, they would both reap and sow, protected by the harsh and impossibly vast landscape of a post-apocalyptic Texas they would become masters of their environment. The final pre-war generation would spend their lives teaching the first post-war generation how best to use the assets of Fort Bliss. There was no GECK to be found here, but years spent scrabbling in the dirt in time would ensure their survival for generations to come.

The most physically hardy amid the population of Fort Bliss, having poured through the history of Texas via still functioning computer terminals, would volunteer themselves to be Rangers and concern themselves with scouting out the treacherous surrounding area. Governed by the more technically inclined they would struggle when the desire to venture further and further out clashed with the necessity of rationing what energy cells and oil remained. It took many years for them to research ways to stretch the charges in those energy cells and in time restore those that had been depleted, the Rangers of Fort Bliss began to utilize what few horses could be found and caught. It is likely that had the Rangers not caught these beasts, and had the more intellectually inclined among them not carefully bred and raised them, the Rangers would never have made contact with The Confederation of Free Texas States.

Having made contact with the Confederation, the Rangers of Fort Bliss found themselves in an enviable position. They knew much of the expanses of desert that surrounded them, they had something of use to the Confederation and the Confederation had something of use to them. Impressed with the Confederation and happy to find more remnants of the great state of Texas they readily shared what they knew and explained their location. They pledged their service to the Confederation of Free Texas States with little delay and have not yet come to regret doing so.

Population:

5,000

Government/Domestic Politics:

Fort Bliss is beholden to The Confederation of Free Texas States. While the Base Commander of Fort Bliss has control of the day to day functioning, he is expected to follow any commands from the capital. The population of the base is expected to respect military order. Locally Fort Bliss has ties to the small communities (such as restored Spanish Missions) that have sprung up nearby, many of which rely on Fort Bliss for clean water and protection. Arguments rarely escalate to the point of requiring intervention, but when they do the Rangers of Fort Bliss tend to act quickly and decisively. Small offenses are likely to result in loss of privilege and time in the brig. Serious offenses are likely to result in banishment or execution.

Notable People:

Jensen Banks: Base Commander of Fort Bliss. Commander Banks is a well read man and a capable orator, but he is no warrior. Sent to Fort Bliss form the Confederation of Free Texas States it was no small feat for him to ingratiate himself among the Rangers and earn their respect and willing obedience. It wasn't immediate, and it's still not really total, but whether happily or begrudgingly most in Fort Bliss have to admit he's a damn fine leader of men.

Robert "Bad Bob" Hays: Current highest ranking Ranger in Fort Bliss. Known for being particularly laconic when he does speak people tend to listen. Despite his "Bad Bob" moniker he has done much to secure peace in the Texan Frontier by enforcing strict but never cruel law. It takes a lot of gravitas to keep squads of men calm and obedient while patrolling the hot Texan desert and scrublands.

Leland Chapman: Longest serving Ranger in Fort Bliss. While Hays may be the man to secure peace, Chapman is the man to maintain it. Well into the twilight of his life Chapman has been just about everywhere in the West Texas Frontier at one point or another and after decades of interaction has gained the trust of the settlers. He is loathe to return to the capital, happier to walk familiar hills and visit with old friends under the ever present Texas sun.

Abigail Dresden: While not as well known as the others Abigail Dresden has likely as important a role to play in Fort Bliss as anyone else. She is expected to keep it all running. Working directly under Commander Banks it falls upon her to ensure that the farms operate as needed, that the water supply is kept clean and available, that the Rangers outside of the Fort are accounted for, and a thousand other small cogs turn as they ought to. The stress is getting to her.

Military: 

Fort Bliss is well protected, it never would have survived this long if it weren't and it wouldn't serve much purpose if it didn't continue as such. Having served as a training station for both Heavy Infantry and Rangers in the time before the Great War it provided the survivors of that Great War much firepower when they returned. Those who lived in the time before the Great War sought to ingrain in their descendants the command structure that had been such a large part of their lives. It worked rather well.

To live in Fort Bliss one must train at regular intervals. It's position, fortification, and reputation have thus far largely protected it from invasion, but yesterday is no promise for tomorrow. Military discipline is enforced by regular structured marching within the base and about it's borders. Fitness is maintained by regular group exercise and sparring. A tactical mind is developed by engaging in scenario based simulations. While everyone is expected to maintain a firearm and know how to use it the reality that ammunition and the components needed for recycling that ammunition are ultimately finite require the citizens of Fort Bliss to be prepared to defend themselves with or without a handgun or rifle.

The Rangers themselves are a small percentage of the population, approximately 10%, or 500, are somewhere in the Ranger hierarchy, with roughly half that rather low in the hierarchy. These men and women are essentially in a nonstop boot camp until they either prove themselves worthy or circumstances dictate they must be advanced. Of the remaining 250 full fledged Rangers roughly 20%, or 50, are in positions of leadership over the remaining 200.

In regard to equipment they possess a large cache of traditional ballistic weaponry of various calibers and serving various purposes. They also possess an excess of traditional land based vehicles, but a dearth of aerial craft. Most such air craft having been used just prior to the outbreak of the Great War to shuttle the VIPs to Vault 99.

Economy:

Fort Bliss is largely self sustaining. By harnessing the information held in the computer terminals of a major pre-war military base they have been able to provide for themselves a modest but reliable living. Their current standard of living is bolstered by their relationship with the Confederation of Free Texas States and with the small communities nearby. They supply clean drinking water and protection, and when necessary can temporarily tighten rationing and help support the local community with the meat of their livestock and the fruits of their agricultural labor.

Culture and Technology: 

Fort Bliss culture is military culture. Regimentation and rationing. Marching, drilling, fighting, more marching. Everyone is expected to participate, without exception. For some this proves to be too much and they leave, headed to nearby nations that they hope offer more freedom like the Tex Legio or perhaps the Angels of War. Some simply head to the capital cities of the Confederation. Most however stay, endurance is bred in to them and in time the community grows closer for the hardship.

On the subject of slavery and mutants the Rangers adopt a policy of neutrality, when and where the policies of the Confederation as a whole are not clear. Freedom is important, they sacrifice some measure of their own freedom as individuals to ensure that collectively they, and Texas as a whole, remain free. This being the case they are not particularly fond of slavers, but it is a harsh wasteland and one cannot go to war every time there is a difference of opinion. Run away slaves may or may not find safety in Fort Bliss depending on the current state of affairs, when possible Fort Bliss will buy their freedom. When they cannot be admitted often they might be advised of nearby settlements where they could disappear. Their approach to mutants is quite similar. Acceptance, compassion, aide when possible.

Technologically the inhabitants of Fort Bliss are pushing to return the Fort to it's former glory. The base was largely built to be self contained, and it largely is, but work to bring the remainder of the terminals up is slow going. They have relatively low standards so that most of Fort Bliss resembles something somewhere between a Pre-War Fully Operational Military Base and a Pulp Western starring John Wayne or perhaps Clint Eastwood. Maybe even Kurt Russel.

Religion:

There is no established religion in Fort Bliss. The Chapel is available for prayer or reflection of whatever denomination. The vast majority of the base existing somewhere between Atheism and Agnosticism. The spectrum ranging from "There is no God" to "There's probably something out there somewhere" to "I'm going to find this God guy and plant him flat on the ground"
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